A new study claims the choices made by pregnant women affect children’s brains and can increase their chances of being gay

THE lifestyle adopted by a mother during pregnancy can radically change her
child, affecting everything from IQ to sexuality, claims a leading
neuroscientist.

In a new book Dick Swaab, professor of neurobiology at Amsterdam University,
suggests that factors ranging from taking synthetic hormones to leading a
stressful life can raise the chance of having a child who turns out to be
gay.

Similarly smoking, drinking and taking drugs designed to combat depression
during pregnancy can lower a child’s IQ, while living in an area with high
levels of traffic pollution can raise the risk of autism.

Swaab’s claims follow a survey of the latest academic studies about links
between the lifestyles of pregnant women and the development of their
babies. Each provides evidence of the sensitivity of the brain to outside
influences.

“If you know about brain development then it seems constantly amazing that it
usually goes so well,” said